Georgia State University
Georgia State University: Hyper Physics: Resonance
This hypertext physics course surveys sound resonance in musical instruments. Illustrated.
Physics Classroom
The Physics Classroom: Sound Waves and Music: Natural Frequency
Through animations, videos, and text, students discover that all objects have a natural frequency or set of frequencies at which they vibrate.
![Pbs: The Music Instinct: Good Vibrations! [Pdf] Lesson Plan](https://content.lessonplanet.com/knovation/original/32599-2e1d15a712acffd6c74d979ac6bcf592.jpg?1661522343 "Pbs: The Music Instinct: Good Vibrations! [Pdf] Lesson Plan")
PBS
Pbs: The Music Instinct: Good Vibrations! [Pdf]
Using the program "The Music Instinct," available on the PBS website, students will explore the nature of sound vibrations over two class periods.
CK-12 Foundation
Ck 12: Physics: Waves Study Guide
[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] This guide gives a detailed overview of mechanical waves and the characteristics of waves. Covers wave behavior, including types of interference, resonance, and the...
Physics Central
Physics Central: Physics in the Tool Shed: Toolaballoonaphone
Learn about compression waves and amplification through constructing a toolaballoonaphone! The toolaballoonaphone is made out an exercise ball, fish nets, wrenches, strings, scissors, and a clean waste basket that allows students to...
Michigan Reach Out
Michigan Reach Out!: Drums (Sounds Like Science)
This site is provided for by Michigan Reach Out. Students experiment with the variables of force, pitch and volume after making a drum.
Other
Mostly Music: Music Physics
A discussion of a variety of physics topics related to music and sound. Topics include vibrations, sound waves, frequency and pitch, resonance and overtones.
Other
Avatar Consultants, Inc: Definition of Intensity
Power, loudness, and decibel levels of sound waves are described and explained. The relative power output of various musical instruments is given.
Michigan Reach Out
Michigan Reach Out!: Making a Shoe Box Guitar
This site provides an experiment where students create a guitar to discover what variables will change sound.
Other
The Equal Tempered Scale & Peculiarities of Piano Tuning
The author offers a complete explanation of the physics behind piano tuning and why piano tuning is an intricate process. Illustrations and graphs are included.
Physics Classroom
The Physics Classroom: Sound Waves and Music: Guitar Strings
A guitar string has a number of frequencies at which it will naturally vibrate. These natural frequencies are known as the harmonics of the guitar string. Students work through several example problems.
PBS
Pbs Learning Media: Atlanta Symphony Orchestra: Live Exploration
Take a special trip to the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra with GPB Education! This interactive virtual exploration offers students a behind-the-scenes experience as they learn about the science of sound and the preparation it takes to put on...
Physics Aviary
Physics Aviary: Wave on String Lab
This lab is designed to help students discover the connections between the linear density of a string and the tension in the string with the speed of the wave along the string. The program can be set with six identical strings or six...
University of New South Wales (Australia)
University of New South Wales: Introduction to Flute Acoustics
Explore the physics of sound production of a flute. How do things like tone holes and register holes effect the acoustics of a flute? Learn more about that and more at this well researched site.
University of New South Wales (Australia)
University of New South Wales: Introduction to Saxophone Acoustics
Learn all about the ways a saxophone produces sound. Discover why the reed, playing softly or loudly and tone holes play important roles in this instruments acoustics.
Other
Avatar Consultants, Inc: Tuning, Scales, and Temperament
A discussion of the composition of complex sounds produced by a musical instrument. Good illustration of how music is applied to physics. Quite a bit of good information, several pages linked together with good definitions as well as...
Georgia State University
Georgia State University: Hyper Physics: The Timpani
A site mostly exploring the hyperphysics of the sound frequencies of the timpani.
New York Times
New York Times: Simulating the Masters
This site scientifically explains how 18th century master violin makers produced such beautiful sounds with their instruments. The use of animated graphics and brief explanations allow the viewer to understand how scientists are trying...
University of New South Wales (Australia)
University of New South Wales: Introduction to Acoustics of Brass Instruments
Discover the acoustical properties of brass instruments from this well researched site provided by the University of New South Wales. Everything from lip control to bell shape is discussed as it applies to frequencies and harmonics.
PBS
Pbs: Math With Jake: Frequencies & Pitch
In this video, musician Jake Shimabukuro uses the pitch of musical notes and vibrations in hertz to illustrate the concept of ratios. This clip is from Center for Asian American Media. In the accompanying classroom activity, students...
Other
French Horn Stopping Why the Pitch Shift?
The opening four points of this article point out the 4 special challenges of playing the modern French horn. When the player uses the "stopping mute", he/she must transpose the music down one semitone in order to play in the correct...
Curated OER
Avatar Consultants, Inc: Tuning, Scales, and Temperament
A discussion of the composition of complex sounds produced by a musical instrument. Good illustration of how music is applied to physics. Quite a bit of good information, several pages linked together with good definitions as well as...
Curated OER
Avatar Consultants, Inc: Tuning, Scales, and Temperament
A discussion of the composition of complex sounds produced by a musical instrument. Good illustration of how music is applied to physics. Quite a bit of good information, several pages linked together with good definitions as well as...